The spectacular markets of Mexico

PRODUCTION THOMAS KOSIKOWSKI, JOHANNES RIFFELMACHER

When we’re in a city, we love losing ourselves in big, crazy, labyrinthine markets: sniffing out new scents, tracking down bizarre specialties, tasting unusual food. We are forever fascinated by what these microcosms have to offer. Click through our photos of Mexico’s best markets and see what you think!

Central de Abastos

Mexico City is the second-largest city in the world. We must have gone to 15 different markets, each one crazier and more vibrant than the next. We really liked the local central market, which is the biggest in the world. You could disappear for weeks into the depths of the enormous market halls, hidden between cactus vendors and truckloads of corn.

If you want to get a good deal at the Central de Abastos, the world's biggest market, you have to be there when the sun comes up

Mercado San Juan de dios,
Mercado Alcalde

Guadalajara is our favorite city, but don’t tell anyone. Last year, our favorite market burned to the ground. We needed a replacement! The one we found, Mercado San Juan de los dios, has an incredible variety of food stalls where you can find everything from seafood to goat-meat tacos. Awesome!

In Guadalajara too, people sit together having breakfast before they do their weekly shopping

Mercado Negro

This laid-back port city situated 108 km south of the U.S. border was once a hotspot for gambling and other sinful pleasures. Today, it’s known as the “Cinderella of the Pacific” and is popular among Californians as a weekend getaway spot.

The Mercado Negro in Ensenada is best known for its huge, fresh clams. These almeja chocolatas or chocolate clams are the size of your palm